The Art Bystander

In this episode of The Art Bystander, our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar meets with Nicolas Hugo, the now leader of Ateliers Hugo.Ateliers Hugo, nestled in Aix en Provence, France, has been a bastion of creativity since the early 1950s, crafting exquisite jewelry and limited-edition objects in gold. Their legacy intertwines with history, embracing tradition, skilled craftsmanship, and collaboration with legendary artists, sparking a renaissance in artist-made jewelry.In the aftermath of World War II, François and Monique Hugo founded Ateliers Hugo, initially focusing on crafting enamel and metal buttons and objects for fashion and commercial ventures, collaborating with esteemed designers like Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli. Surrounded by the artistic milieu of the South of France, Hugo cultivated friendships with luminaries such as Picasso, Derain, and Ernst, igniting a movement where artists experimented with jewelry as an art form.The journey continued as Picasso and others sought collaborations with Hugo, laying the foundation for a pioneering era in jewelry artistry from 1956 to 1961. This period witnessed artists like Cocteau infusing their distinctive visions into small, gold objects, transcending commercial considerations for pure artistic exploration.A "second wave" emerged in the late 1960s and 1970s under Pierre Hugo's stewardship, marrying experimentation with commercial viability. Collaborations with artists like Arman, César, and Salvador Dali birthed masterpieces that adorned museums and galleries worldwide, elevating jewelry to coveted collectibles.Despite soaring demand, Ateliers Hugo remained a closely-knit family business, cherishing tradition and familial bonds. The studio's ethos, deeply entrenched in familial heritage, fosters a culture where lunchtime gatherings are as sacred as the craft itself.In the contemporary era, under the leadership of Nicolas Hugo, Ateliers Hugo continues its legacy, collaborating with artists like Ugo Rondinone and Eric Croes, bridging the past with the present. Upholding tradition while embracing modernity, they maintain their unique stamp, rooted in time-honored techniques passed down through generations. With a commitment to serving artists and bearing witness to the zeitgeist, Ateliers Hugo preserves its legacy while illuminating the artistic landscape of today, embodying a timeless mission of creativity and cultural stewardship.

In this episode, Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar, is entering an inspiring and insightful conversation with Scandinavian art world legend Björn Wetterling.1984, in the heart of Stockholm, at the iconic Kungsträdgården 3, something remarkable happened; Wetterling Gallery opened its doors. This moment marked the beginning of what would become a cornerstone in Sweden's contemporary art scene.Under the visionary leadership of Björn Wetterling, the gallery became the gateway for seminal American artists of the time, artists whose names are now synonymous with modern art greatness— Robert Rauschenberg, Frank Stella, Jasper Johns, James Rosenquist, Helen Frankenthaler, and Ed Ruscha, just to name a few.But the Wetterling Gallery's journey didn't stop with the icons of the 80s. Over the decades, it has evolved, embracing a wide spectrum of artistic expressions and stages of career development. Today, while still honoring its roots and the artists who laid its foundation, the gallery is a vibrant platform for both emerging and established talents, particularly those from Scandinavia or based in the region.At the core of the Wetterling Gallery's mission, guided by Björn Wetterling and his dedicated team, is a profound respect for the unique vision and instinct of each artist they represent. It's a place where art is not just seen; it's experienced, where every exhibition is a testament to the gallery's commitment to diversity, innovation, and the unwavering belief in the power of art to inspire and transform.So, join us as we explore the legacy of the Wetterling Gallery, its impact on the art world, and the stories of the artists who have called it home. It's a journey through four decades of artistic excellence, and we're just getting started.

In this episode of The Art Bystander, Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar meets with Camelia Esmaili the founder and managing director of l’Atelier Camelia, a research-based art advisory and collection management firm based in Paris and Dubai having catered to some of the major art collectors in the Middle East and France, she caters to both the private and public sector for investment value art collections in modern and contemporary art, innovative emerging art acquisitions, sales and art strategy and oversee regularly curated art exhibions in art foundations on behalf of her clients. A post-war modern and contemporary art specialist and expert in modern and contemporary art from the Middle East and North-Africa she developed and diversified major art collections in the Middle East and France with key acquisitions and more than 2.000 pieces. She is born and grew up in Paris and studied at Université Paris Diderot Languages and Literature, then lived ten years in Dubai and gain an exclusive insights from Arabic peninsula contemporary and modern art scenes intertwined with art from India and Pakistan, Iran and Turkey, Arab world and North Africa working for some of the biggest household names. Camelia offers expert guidance on curating and diversifying modern art collections with blue chip works fork major art scenes (mainstream and Middle East but also source form china and indian art scenes) connecting with new artists and new histories from emerging markets for new narratives. Her art investment acquisition caters to banks and sovereign funds which she is a regularly contributor (BNP Parisbas France, Mirabaux Swiss, Mubadallah Abu Dhabi etc) and has on her collector list some of the top 200 art collectors in the world . Camelia’s mission is to bridge the gap between the museum and commercial worlds through scientific art advisory services for private and public art collections with a plural art history perspectiveHer public clients includes : Farjam art foundation, Dubai Airports, Mubadallah group, Jumeirah Creekside hotel (largest corporate art collection of middle eastern contemporary Art in the Middle East) owned by Jumeirah group and and Dubai Duty Free and Mirabeau Bank among many others 

In this episode of The Art Bystander our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar meets none other than the legendary Sharon Stone. Known worldwide for her illustrious career in film, Stone has also carved a unique space for herself in the world of art, a facet we are excited to explore in this conversation.Sharon Stone's journey in the arts extends beyond her iconic roles in cinema. Her engagement with the art world is multifaceted, encompassing art collection, creation, and advocacy. In our exclusive interview, we delve into how her passion for art has shaped her life and career.Stone's art collection, known for its eclectic and discerning nature, reflects her deep appreciation for creativity and expression. She has often spoken about the joy and inspiration she derives from being surrounded by art, whether it be contemporary pieces, classic works, or emerging talents. Our conversation explores how she curates her collection and the stories behind some of her favorite pieces.Moreover, Sharon Stone's own artistic practice is a topic of great intrigue. While details about her personal creations are relatively private, our conversation offers a rare glimpse into this personal side of Stone, discussing her artistic processes, inspirations, and how her experience in film has influenced her artistry.Join us for this enlightening conversation, where we uncover the artistic soul of one of Hollywood's most enduring stars.Sharon Stone will also exhibit at Gallery Deschler in Berlin, opening Saturday, 17 February 2024 at 5 pmTOTEM by Sharon Stoneat the Gallery DeschlerAuguststraße 61, 10117 Berlin, Germany

In this episode of ‘The Art Bystander’ our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar meets with Silvana Lagos in a relaxed conversation to discuss art curating, how to price art, the role of art in democracies and her latest ventures in art across the globe.Silvana Lagos is a curator and writer based between London, UK, and Stockholm, Sweden. She is the artistic director of Meridian Creative Center – El Anatsui. An independent art professional, with a strong background in curating, project management, and strategic consulting. Demonstrated wide multidisciplinary experience in the field of museums and public art as a project director and curator, with delivered projects in Europe, The United States, Latin America, China, and the Middle East, managing large-scale multi-national projects.Delivered projects include - macLYON, Mfa Boston, Ludwig Museum, SF MoMa, University of Greenwich, Hauser & Wirth, Zurich, Fondazione Prada, Prada Double Club Miami, Museo Tamayo, Luma Foundation Arles, Qatar Museums, Gagosian NYC, Massimo de Carlo, Milan, Noor Light Festival, Riyadh, “All the World’s Futures” 56th Edition of Venice Biennale, Galleria Continua Beijing, and simultaneous co-running exhibitions at Copenhagen Contemporary and KUNSTEN Museum of Modern Art Aalborg, Denmark. As a curator, Silvana has worked with the development of the Norberg Festival art program and artwork commissions. Notable artists included Christine Sun Kim (US), Romain Tardy (FR), Farvash Razavi (SE), and Anna Sagstrom (DE/SE). She co-curated Silver Sehnsucht as a b-side exhibition during Frieze London. She is on the board of Amalgama, a cultural program and digital platform devoted to exhibiting, promoting and publishing the work of women artists from Latin America. Her recent public program: TRAMA saw conversations between Rosana Antoli, and Marti Manen, Director of Index, Paola Torrez Núñez de Prado, with Dr. Giuliana Borea and Cecilia Vicuña and Camila Marambio, curator and Director of the nomadic research program Ensayos. As well as a set of artists conversations during Frieze NYC (2023) at the Standard Hotel with Tschabalala Self and Sanford Biggers.Member of AWITA Advisory Board Art and Theory PublishingContributor to Elephant Magazine

In this episode of the Art Bystander our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar meets with Sammi Liu of Tabula Rasa Gallery and Gunia Nowik of her namesake gallery to discuss the current state of the art world in Poland and China - and their participation at the group show CMA in Stockholm.CMA (Contemporary Myths and Artifacts) is an ambitious project that brings together a group of international galleries and twenty-four artists to exhibit in a unique historical setting at Stockholms Stads Gasverk (Stockholms City Gashouse), built on Torsgatan in 1904. The exhibition focuses on contemporary artist practices that use the tradition of storytelling, myth making, and the artefact as tools to address current issues, ranging from human relationships, digital technologies, and AI to urgent ecological questions.November 9th - 19th 2023Regular opening hours: 12 am to 6 pmStockholm Gasverket, Torsgatan 22-24Galleries:Andréhn-Schiptjenko (FR)(SE)Coulisse Gallery (SE)Gunia Nowik Gallery (PL)Piktogram Gallery (PL)Tabula Rasa Gallery (CN)(UK)Tabula Rasa Gallery is a leading contemporary art gallery founded by Sammi Liu in Beijing's 798 art district in 2015. In April 2021, Tabula Rasa Gallery opened its second space in Hoxton, London, providing a wider platform for artistic exchange globally.  The gallery name is Latin for 'blank state'. In philosophical discourse, it refers to the idea that our knowledge comes from experiences and education; we are all born in a Tabula Rasa state. We hope the exhibitions Tabula Rasa presents can subvert viewers’ preconceptions, creating conditions for fresh artistic experiments.Gunia Nowik Gallery was opened in Warsaw, Poland in July 2021. The artists represented by GNG are its owner’s peers – artists born in the 1970s and 80s, including Agata Bogacka, Jakub Gliński, Katarzyna Korzeniecka, Anna Orłowska, Daniel Rycharski, and Iza Tarasewicz. Teresa Gierzyńska (born 1947), a feminist photographer, and Krzysztof Jung (1951–1998), a key member of Poland’s queer scene in the 1980s and 90s, enrich the program. However different, the artists’ voices all express a concern with the human condition in the modern world. GNG is committed to the Polish art scene but is also open to the international one. In 2023, the German sculptor Hannah Sophie Dunkelberg and the Ukrainian painter Sana Shahmuradova Tanska held solo shows and joined the gallery as represented artists, showing how GNG seeks to function as a bridge between the art scenes in Berlin, Warsaw, and Kyiv. Gunia Nowik is also co-founder of Hotel Warszawa Art Fair. 

Peder Lund, a seasoned figure in the world of art, started his career in the 1990s as an art dealer, curator, and gallerist. In 2009, he took a bold step after two decades in the art dealership industry by establishing his own gallery. His primary goal was to foster a more engaging dialogue with the Norwegian and Scandinavian public while enhancing Oslo's global prominence in the art scene. This vision revolved around showcasing modern and contemporary art crafted by internationally acclaimed artists. The gallery's exhibition program is meticulously crafted and executed through close collaboration with the artists themselves, their main galleries, and artist estates.The exhibition lineup at Peder Lund is remarkably diverse, encompassing photography, installations, sculptures, and paintings. Notably, Lund has collaborated with an impressive roster of artists, including Wolfgang Tillmans, Louise Bourgeois, Isa Genzken, Roni Horn, Ed Ruscha, Catherine Opie, Paul McCarthy, Mike Kelley, and Ida Ekblad, among others. With this wide array of artists, Peder Lund aims to provide a comprehensive and multifaceted view of contemporary art to the Scandinavian audience.This episode is brought to you by Colekt, a Stockholm-based clean beauty, fragrance, skincare and lifestyle brand. Gender free, vegan and inspired by Scandi nature, the cultural heritage and seasonal mood. Colekt has an open eye for freedom, impressions and expressions around the world, in arts, fashion, design and architecture. Colekt your creation, anytime anywhere. Explore the world of Colekt www.colekt.comMore information on www.theartbystander.com

In this special episode, our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar is meeting with Sergio Sancho and Sara Coriat of CAN Ibiza.This summer Ibiza is once again the epicenter of contemporary art thanks to CAN Art Fair, which repeats its edition for the second consecutive year and brings together the latest in contemporary creation by hosting up to 37 galleries and more than 150 artists coming from Hong Kong, Sydney, London or Los Angeles. Directed by Sergio Sancho, collector and founder of UVNT Art Fair Madrid (Urvanity), it is curated by critic Saša Bogojev and brings together from July 12 to 16 prominent international collectors.About Sergio Sancho, director and founder: Sergio Sancho (Madrid, 1978) left the world of advertising to devote himself to his passion for art, specifically New Contemporary Art that did not have a platform in Spain. Sancho created UVNT Art Fair in Madrid as a response to this lack of representation. After seven editions held annually in February, the fair has established itself as an important meeting point for artistic proposals in the field. In parallel, Sancho has worked as a cultural agitator with artistic projects for companies such as Caleido, Las Rozas Village, Iberia, Swatch, Mahou, NYX Hotels... bringing art closer to the business world and the general public. In 2022, Sancho launched CAN Ibiza (Contemporary Art Now). About Sara Coriat, Galleries and Communications Director: Sara Coriat (Madrid, 1989), former journalist, is Galleries & Communications Director at Contemporary Art Now Ibiza (CAN) and UVNT Madrid art fairs, and coordinates artistic projects at Urvanity Projects. She has worked as an editor for Elle Spain magazine for four years and collaborated with El Mundo, AD magazine or Tapas. It was the AECID cultural management fellowship that took her to Miami to enter the art and culture scene, working as Exhibitions Coordinator at CCEMiami (Spanish Cultural Center in Miami) for two years, carrying exhibitions with artists such as Eugenio Ampudia, Rocío García, Angela Valella, Susana Guerrero or Elio Rodriguez, before returning to Madrid in 2019 to work at UVNT and CAN.This episode is brought to you by Colekt, a Stockholm-based clean beauty, fragrance, skincare and lifestyle brand. Gender free, vegan and inspired by Scandi nature, the cultural heritage and seasonal mood. Colekt has an open eye for freedom, impressions and expressions around the world, in arts, fashion, design and architecture. Colekt your creation, anytime anywhere. Explore the world of Colekt www.colekt.comMore information on www.theartbystander.com and www.contemporaryartnow.com

In this episode of The Art Bystander, our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar, talks to Julie Quottrup Silbermann who during 2022 was appointed as the new director of CHART in Copenhagen, one of the most prominent contemporary art fairs in Northern Europe.CHART has always been known for its groundbreaking exhibitions and cutting-edge presentations, and with this new directorship, Julie Quottrup Silbermann brings with her a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective. She is responsible for laying out the organization’s future course and strategic development as the primary platform for the Nordic art community. Julie Quottrup Silbermann has significant experience from different positions within the international art scene. She has previously worked as gallery director, art advisor, cultural communicator and curator.Julie Quottrup Silbermann received her Master’s Degree of Arts in Modern Culture and Cultural Communication from the University of Copenhagen. She has worked as Senior Director at Galleri Nils Stærk, Copenhagen, Director at David Risley Gallery, Copenhagen, and Director at Martin Asbæk Gallery, Copenhagen. In recent years Quottrup Silbermann was active as an art advisor for COLLABORATIONS, Copenhagen, where she has advised private clients and institutions.During the conversation we not only talk about CHART and the role it plays on the Scandinavian art market, but touch upon her background, how she got into art and what she's collecting.For more information about CHART please visit https://chartartfair.com/